Published: 28 April 2014

Kwekwe-based ZimChem Refiners Private Limited has started producing stone pre-coat oil, which the country has been importing from other countries.

In an interview at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, ZimChem marketing manager Garib Kassim said as a company they have begun manufacturing stone pre-coat oil used in the construction industry which used to be imported.

Pre-coat aggregate is crushed stone coated with a thin layer of oil.

"We have begun manufacturing this oil which used to be imported," he said.

Kassim said Zimchem was researching on all imported products with a view to substituting the imports with locally produced products.

"Whatever the country imports, we do our research so that we can see if the product can be produced here," he said.

Kassim said big construction companies rehabilitating the roads around the country were using their product.

He said there was therefore no need for companies to import the product.

Kassim called on the government to open avenues for financial injections to finance such projects, which are aimed at rebuilding the economy.

"We are having challenges with finance as production costs are too high thereby affecting the competitiveness of our products," he said.

Kassim said government should ban the importation of products produced locally.

Zimchem Refiners also produces chemical products, refined benzol, benzene, and coal tar products.
- chronicle